Running a small business is tough – especially weathering the multiple storms the last few years have thrown at us. That’s why we started Learn Share Network, a series of free events for small businesses to network, share experiences, have a drink and learn something new. Each event will invite speakers to explore a different theme key for small businesses to master in order to succeed in a competitive marketplace, as well as providing a relaxed opportunity to meet other local businesses facing similar challenges. Anyone running a small business in Bexhill, Hastings & St Leonards is welcome.
Tuesday 15 September – Local regeneration: what does it mean for me?
Please note that this event will take place in the café.
Panel: Kevin Boorman, Independent Chair, Hastings Pride in Place Board Josh Broadway, Pride in Place Programme Manager, Hastings Thomas Fitzgerald, Rother District Council Regeneration Officer Ellie Foster, Bexhill Neighbourhood Board Officer Rosie Leech, Regeneration Programme and Project Manager, Hastings Borough Council Anne Rathbone, Bexhill Neighbourhood Board and Partnerships Manager
Kevin Boorman, Independent Chair, Hastings Pride in Place Board, will set out how the £20m of additional funding for Hastings over the next decade will be delivered through three funds: Pride in our Streets, Pride in our Neighbourhoods, and Pride in our Town. The Board will ensure that funding is spent on what people said matters most to them through their extensive community engagement and ongoing conversations with residents and partners.
Rother District Council Regeneration Officer Thomas Fitzgerald, whose work focuses on Skills, Employment and Business aspects of regeneration, will be discussing impacts and opportunities for local businesses arising from regeneration activities in the Rother area.
Bexhill Neighbourhood Board is interested in gaining insight into potential business shopfront improvements in Bexhill and how to tackle this process. Bexhill Neighbourhood Board Project Officer Ellie Foster will be speaking about this, along with Bexhill Neighbourhood Board and Partnerships Manager Anne Rathbone.
Rosie Leech, Regeneration Programme and Project Manager at Hastings Borough Council, will talk about the launch of the Hastings Fairness Fund, a predominantly capital programme for 2027/28 with funding available for projects to help reduce the impacts of poverty in the town’s most disadvantaged neighbourhoods. She will also share updates about other council regeneration programmes, including the Town Deal and the Capital Leisure Fund.
Learn Share Network for the rest of 2026
Tuesday 17 November – Skills: Finding and keeping good people